<ARTICLE>       5
<LEGEND>        THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED
                BALANCE SHEETS, AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
                FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<CIK>           0000795212
<NAME>          TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT



                                AMOUNT
ITEM DESCRIPTION                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
- ----------------                -------------------------------------
                             

<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-START>                  JAN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                    OCT-28-2000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<CASH>                               72,703
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                             0
<ALLOWANCES>                              0
<INVENTORY>                         471,830
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    558,137
<PP&E>                              303,579
<DEPRECIATION>                      164,480
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      782,636
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               297,561
<BONDS>                                   0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                               0
<COMMON>                                537
<OTHER-SE>                          440,017
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>        782,636
<SALES>                             861,223
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                    861,223
<CGS>                               554,681
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       554,681
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    291,052
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                   (2,466)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                      17,956
<INCOME-TAX>                         17,902
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      54
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                             54
<EPS-BASIC>                           .00
<EPS-DILUTED>                           .00